Holcim’s Mexican arm, Holcim Apasco, estimates that cement demand in the country grew 3.5 percent in 2012 compared to 2011. The cement major said the increase in consumption, which reached 35 Mt last year, was driven by stronger growth in the infrastructure segment, moderate expansion in self-build housing as well as the construction of industrial buildings, offices and shopping centers.
Gustavo Gastelum, the company’s director of external relations and communications, said that recent years had seen a sustained recovery of cement consumption after falling in the second half of 2008 and in 2009.
He explained that according to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) activity in the building sector reported a growth of over three percent in the first nine months of 2012. “There is a positive development in the infrastructure sector, but we are challenged to increase economic growth and create jobs, to boost infrastructure projects and housing for millions of Mexicans,” he added.
